Blogs

Centre for Mental Health Policy Watch

• Delirium guidelines updated by NICE
  

  NICE has published an update on its 2010 Guidance on Delirium, Delirium: diagnosis, prevention and management, which highlights new research, including the potential benefits of introducing a risk assessment tool. Around 20% of people on medical wards in hospital are affected by delirium.

  
  
  
• Children with behavioural and anxiety disorders can benefit from telephone-based therapy
  

  New research from Canada has found that telephone therapy offers a promising approach for children who are diagnosed with oppositional-defiant disorders (ODD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) or anxiety disorders (AD). The study, reported in the Mental Elf, suggests that telephone treatment could more successful and reduce the barriers...
  
  

• What promotes and hinders joint and integrated working between health and social care services
  

  The Social Care Institute for Excellence has published a briefing that offers an overview of the different models of working between health and social care services at the strategic, commissioning and operational level.

  
  
  
• Study finds the care of people with people with long-term conditions is poorly co-ordinated and inefficient
  

  The health system in the UK is struggling to care for the rising number of people who have two or more chronic illnesses, argues the authors of a study published in The Lancet this week. The authors propose that generalist clinicians who "can oversee all the problems" and provide...
  
  

• Early intervention supported by research revealing the cost of troubled families
  

  In a new report, Out of trouble: Families with complex problems, a guide for funders, New Philanthropy Capital highlights the cost of troubled families. Estimating that the 120,000 most troubled families cost society up to £9bn every year, NPC argues that early intervention is key and that...
  
  

• Contributions sought for the government strategy on long term conditions
  

  The Department of Health is working with other government departments to develop a strategy on long term conditions and is inviting comments via a new long term conditions website, where you can have your say.

  
  
  
• New report by Civitas: What can we do better to reduce offending by drug addicts?
  This report by the think tank Civitas focuses on the evidence base for what works in drug rehabilitation, with a particular focus on criminal justice issues. It concludes that the evidence does not conclusively support one particular treatment, but suggests that a diverse range of quality treatments are necessary. The...
  
  
• Updated guidelines on treating depression in adults with a chronic health problem
  The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published an evidence update to its guidelines, Depression in adults with a chronic physical health problem.
  
  
  
• NHS Confederation releases new report: Investing in emotional and psychological wellbeing for patients with long-term conditions
  This new report from the NHS Confederation focuses on the patient journey across the care system to maximise effective service design and delivery.
  
  The guide brings together evidence and emerging economic analysis, as well as examples of service design and delivery, to assist commissioners, clinicians and managers in primary care, secondary...
  
  
• New briefing from NHS Confederation on homelessness and mental health
  This briefing paper sets out the policy context around tackling homelessness and addressing the mental health needs of homeless people. It also examines what considerations need to be made when planning, designing and delivering mental health services for homeless people and highlights examples of good practice.